Deep into the Autumn, and a Very Special Day

There is something about the Autumn that pulls me in deep. Farmers Markets are full of Fall harvests of apples and pears, persimmons, grapes, squash and pumpkins, nuts and jams. Skies are bright blue and the leaves are brilliant with breezes are twirling them into little whirls in the streets. The light is farther down in the sky shining through trees from the side lighting them up like lanterns in the afternoons. And there are fires starting in fireplaces, making the air smell a little smokey for the first time this season.

My mother's birthday is in November, and as she graduates every year to the next, Autumn seems all the more poignant. The season seems all the more important and lovely. This year Mom turned 88. We did not have any great and wonderful plans. I could not think of any great gift that would not just be something else to find a place for, or any great adventure that would not be too tiring for Mom. Tim and I were going to take her to a nice restaurant for dinner, but it seemed a little like an afterthought.

Then it struck me.....the important thing. The best gift. And I was on the phone in a minute. I called my brother who lives in Seattle. Mom's birthday was only a little over a week away. Could he fly down to see us? Was he too busy? Mom had not seen him for over a year, and did he have time in his schedule? Did he have a little extra in his budget to make the trip? He would get back to me soon, he said. Then I called my girls....one was in Portland, her first year in college. Did she have too many tests or school commitments? Could she come? ....She would check. Then my other daughter at UC Santa Cruz...it was a long weekend, could she take the train home? Well....her friend was driving up from LA for the weekend, so.....she would have to think about it. I said he could come too! She said she would check with him.

The next day, I could not wait. It was pins and needles. Then there was a ping on my phone....and a flight time and day from my brother. He was coming! Then a call from my Portland girl....Dad had already bought her ticket and she was so excited for the surprise, and no, she was not going to be missing anything at school. Then my Santa Cruz girl....she did not have to take the train because her friend was going to drive them both and they could even pick up her sister from the airport!

It was now officially a party....a BIG FAT SURPRISE Party of the very best kind......

Everyone arrived late Friday evening (girls and friend) and at midnight I brought home my brother from the airport. Everyone snuck into the house after Mom had gone to sleep and stayed upstairs until morning. The next morning, I let the girls sleep while my brother, Tim and I went to the Farmers Market for flowers, grapes, strawberries, persimmons and walnuts......

I quickly arranged flowers with extra things from the garden, and the girls were up by then to help make breakfast....bacon, eggs and pancakes...just like Sundays when everyone was home....but a little fancier....after all it was a very special day!